A massive magnitude 7.9 earthquake struck southern Peru on Wednesday, killing at least 510 people (revised) and injuring more than a thousand more. The disastrous tremors set pavement rippling and lasted for several minutes, followed by four aftershocks ranging from 5.4 to 5.9. Updated on 8/17.

So far the Democratic primary race has been something of a competition over who most disapproves of our unpopular president, so it was a surprise when Barack Obama on Wednesday let this fly: “Part of the problem here is not just George Bush and the White House.” (Gasp!) He went on to promise a more open government under his care, arguing that our democracy is not democratic enough.

For those of us who are alarmed by Google Maps’ satellite-generated views of our homes and favorite stomping grounds, a recent decision made by Director of National Intelligence Michael McConnell ought to stand some hairs on end.

Now that U.S. pennies are more of a nuisance than a useful form of currency, given their ever-so-rapidly evaporating value (no offense, Honest Abe), and now that it costs the government nearly two cents to make each penny, why don’t we just toss them altogether? (Hint: It has to do with lobbyists.)

Preparing for his September check-in with Congress about the status and future directions of the Iraq war, Gen. David Petraeus hinted Wednesday at plans to gradually downsize the U.S. military presence in Iraq by next summer.

Rampant violence and a curfew that makes nighttime medical aid unrealistic at best are threatening the health of pregnant Iraqi women and their children. Official data on the problem is scarce, but medical and humanitarian workers say childhood and maternal mortality is on the rise.

A new Clinton campaign ad has the White House crying foul, and Clinton crying “Tough!” The commercial features the candidate saying that struggling families and troops are “invisible” to the president. Deputy press secretary Dana Perino said the claim is “outrageous” and that “it is unconscionable that a member of Congress would say such a thing,” which prompted this retort from Clinton: “Not only have I said it and am saying it, I will keep saying it because I happen to believe it.” Update: video added.

Russian authorities are investigating a gruesome online video which shows the apparent execution of two men by a group calling itself “National Socialists of Rus.” According to the BBC, Russia has experienced a rise in ethnic violence over the last few years.

Sadly, news of suicide bombings in Iraq has become commonplace, and Tuesday was a particularly bloody day, with four separate attacks in the northwest Yazidi community that claimed at least 200 lives and injured hundreds more.